Sunday, May 12, 2024
Sunday, May 12, 2024
A missile defense radar on Hawaii, a defense technology contractor looking to grow, the Joint Strike Fighter and a slew of Air Force news highlight this Friday INSIDER Daily Digest.
Setting up a missile defense radar in Hawaii could be a challenge, according to the head of the Missile Defense Agency:
MDA director: Hawaii radar time line may be 'challenging'
The Missile Defense Agency's timeline for installing a ballistic missile defense radar in Hawaii to defend against North Korean missiles could be "challenging," according to MDA's director, as the Defense Department will likely need to conduct an environmental impact statement before moving forward.
Buchanan & Edwards is looking at growth opportunities:
With first acquisition complete, Buchanan & Edwards pursues additional growth
Technology contractor Buchanan & Edwards is seeking to grow, hiring several new executives, completing its first acquisition and planning a new facility in Chantilly, VA.
A look at Joint Strike Fighter funding for FY-18:
F-35 Block 4 funding request doubles in services' FY-18 budgets
As the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter transitions from its development phase to follow-on modernization, the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps are seeking a total of $587 million in fiscal year 2018 to support F-35 Block 4 development -- more than double what they requested in FY-17.
Air Force unmanned systems news:
Air Force to buy 16 Reapers in FY-18, growing total program inventory
The Air Force wants to buy 16 new Block 5 MQ-9 Reapers from General Atomics in fiscal year 2018, a move that comes after the service had not planned to purchase more of the unmanned aerial vehicles that year.
Air Force determining next steps for potential RQ-4 PDM capability
An RQ-4 Global Hawk's recent arrival at Robins Air Force Base, GA, may set the stage for new approaches the Air Force could take to maintain the remotely piloted aircraft fleet.
More Air Force news:
Lockheed working to shape multidomain conversation in Air Force ECCT
Lockheed Martin is trying to leverage its experience with command-and-control systems to be a key player in the Air Force's effort to move to multidomain war planning and operations, launching biennial exercises and holding conferences to bolster this year's Enterprise Capabilities Collaboration Team study.
Air Force boosts F-22 development funds to support jet through 2060
The Air Force's fiscal year 2018 budget request nearly doubles its investment in F-22 research and development -- a boost that service officials say is critical to keep the fifth-generation jet flying through 2060.
Document: House hearing on combat aviation
'Pathfinder' effort for AOC 10.2 aims to put system back on track for MDC2
The Defense Digital Service, Defense Innovation Unit Experimental and Air Operations Center Weapon System program office are collaborating on a "pathfinder" effort to drive improvements to the troubled air war planning system forward, attempting to salvage a system whose future is key to next-generation operations.
New munitions to replace phased-out cluster bombs move ahead
The Air Force is designing a new munition, designated the BLU-136/B next-generation area-attack weapon increment II, to replace its older cluster bombs in the next three years following a 2008 Pentagon policy to do away with more than 111,000 area-attack weapons by the end of 2018.
Global Strike Command staffs NC3 Center but needs 50 to 60 more workers
The head of Air Force Global Strike Command told senators this week he needs a "full-court press" to hire 50 or 60 more staffers to handle the service's Nuclear Weapons Center and nuclear command, control and communications portfolio.
Document: Senate hearing on DOD nuclear programs
Wilson: Air Force wants to better implement acquisition authority, flexibility
The Air Force is conducting a review of its acquisition processes this spring and summer to ensure it's using the authorities and flexibility granted by Congress in the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act.
House lawmakers want a system in place to oversee DOD's non-combat cyber ops:
New bipartisan cyber bill strengthens congressional oversight
New bipartisan legislation put forth by senior members of the House Armed Services Committee would set the framework for congressional oversight of the Defense Department's cyber operations "outside areas of active hostilities."
Document: House lawmakers' cyber bill